Eastern hurler Stoops commits to Richmond

Got off the phone a little while ago with Eastern York Brad Weaver, who it appears will have another Division I recruit on his roster this year.

Weaver said Golden Knights senior pitcher Dylan Stoops has accepted an offer to play collegiately at Richmond. The district is planning to send out a release in the next day or so, he said.

A few months ago, Eastern junior shortstop Ryky Smith verbally committed to Penn State.

The tall left-hander was named a Division III all-star last season, going 5-3 and recording a 2.07 ERA and 70 strikeouts. Stoops mixes a 86-87 mile-per-hour fastball with solid offspeed pitches, Weaver said.

"Really tough curveball, really has worked hard on his changeup," Weaver said. "The big thing with him, he's an awesome student. His work ethic, he really works hard at it."

Left-handed pitchers, of course, are always a commodity. Throw in Stoops' height -- Weaver speculated he's 6-foot-3 -- and it's no wonder a school like Richmond came calling. Weaver even said that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were possibly planning to take a look at the southpaw.

Richmond has made eight NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip the Super Regionals in 2002. The Spiders were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic 10 this season.